Number of lone pairs of electrons on Xe atoms in `XeF_(2), XeF_(4), XeF_(6) and XeO_(4)` molecules are respectively

Options

A. 3, 2, 1, 0
B. 1, 3, 2, 0
C. 0, 2, 3, 1
D. 3, 2, 0, 1

Answer

To determine the number of lone pairs of electrons on the xenon (Xe) atom in the molecules \(XeF_2\), \(XeF_4\), \(XeF_6\), and \(XeO_4\), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Determine the Valence Electrons of Xenon
Xenon (Xe) is a noble gas and has 8 valence electrons.

### Step 2: Analyze \(XeF_2\)
- **Hybridization**: The molecular geometry of \(XeF_2\) is linear, which corresponds to \(sp^3d\) hybridization.
- **Bond Pairs**: There are 2 bond pairs (from the two Xe-F bonds).
- **Lone Pairs Calculation**:
\[ \text{Lone pairs} = \text{Total valence electrons} - \text{Bond pairs} = 8 - 2 = 6 \text{ (which corresponds to 3 lone pairs)} \]

### Step 3: Analyze \(XeF_4\)
- **Hybridization**: The molecular geometry of \(XeF_4\) is square planar, which corresponds to \(sp^3d^2\) hybridization.
- **Bond Pairs**: There are 4 bond pairs (from the four Xe-F bonds).
- **Lone Pairs Calculation**:
\[ \text{Lone pairs} = 8 - 4 = 4 \text{ (which corresponds to 2 lone pairs)} \]

### Step 4: Analyze \(XeF_6\)
- **Hybridization**: The molecular geometry of \(XeF_6\) is octahedral, which corresponds to \(sp^3d^3\) hybridization.
- **Bond Pairs**: There are 6 bond pairs (from the six Xe-F bonds).
- **Lone Pairs Calculation**:
\[ \text{Lone pairs} = 8 - 6 = 2 \text{ (which corresponds to 1 lone pair)} \]

### Step 5: Analyze \(XeO_4\)
- **Hybridization**: The molecular geometry of \(XeO_4\) is tetrahedral, which corresponds to \(sp^3\) hybridization.
- **Bond Pairs**: There are 4 bond pairs (from the four Xe-O bonds).
- **Lone Pairs Calculation**:
\[ \text{Lone pairs} = 8 - 4 = 4 \text{ (which corresponds to 0 lone pairs)} \]

### Final Summary
- For \(XeF_2\): 3 lone pairs
- For \(XeF_4\): 2 lone pairs
- For \(XeF_6\): 1 lone pair
- For \(XeO_4\): 0 lone pairs

Thus, the number of lone pairs of electrons on Xe atoms in \(XeF_2\), \(XeF_4\), \(XeF_6\), and \(XeO_4\) are respectively **3, 2, 1, and 0**.